Lawrence Shankland: New Rangers captain on ‘huge honour’ of being handed armband for new season
Lawrence Shankland described as a “huge honour” his confirmation as the new captain of Rangers.
The 30-year-old striker was captain of Hearts under Derek McInnes and will fulfil the same role in the wake of both men moving to Ibrox during the summer.
Shankland, who takes over the role from James Tavernier following his exit, said: “Obviously, it’s a huge honour for me to be named captain of this football club.
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“I’m a lifelong supporter. It was a dream to be here in the first place but to be captain is a huge honour.
“He (McInnes) just told me about an hour ago! When I was at Hearts, I was captain and the only way I’ve learned to behave and in my training has been to act as a captain and try to be a leader in the group.
“It hadn’t been something I’d thought too much about.
“But I always look to myself to set examples on the training pitch and do things properly around the place.
“That’s not just myself. We’ve signed a lot of experienced players like Dan Neil, Ben Godfrey, guys who have been around big clubs and been captains.
“So it’s about all of us setting an example.
“For the last two and a half years, all I’ve known is being captain of a club.
“It’s something I’ve enjoyed. I took the responsibility.
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“Of course, there’s scrutiny when things get difficult and people look to the captain to answer up for the squad.
“That’s something I’ll need to be responsible for but the flip side is the rewards of being a successful captain at this club outweigh it by miles.
“So it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
McInnes had handed the armband around during the pre-season games to several players including Ross McCrorie, Neil, Godfrey and Dujon Sterling and he explained his Shankland decision ahead of his first competitive game as Rangers boss against Dundee United at Tannadice on Friday night.
He said: “When you come into a club and have to pick a captain, you’re always mindful of the ones who have gone before.
“James Tavernier has served this club for a long time and served it well, so that discussion was always going to be there and it’s something I’ve been asked about a lot since I took the job.
“I wanted to take time to look right through the squad and see how everybody was before making that call.
“The advantage Lawrence had is that I’ve already seen first-hand how well he runs a dressing room, with his experience captaining Hearts for a few years.
“We had a lot to consider, but plenty went in his favour – his experience, the fact we’re still quite a young dressing room, and that he knows the club as a Glasgow boy who has supported Rangers and understands what’s expected of him, of me and of the team this season. I’ve also got a strong relationship with him, which always helps.”